Keeping Scales in Line

[ErikD]

How do you keep the front piece of handle slabs all lined up and straight? I am more interested in if you are working on a really small knife, say about 1" x 2". I know if it is a larger piece I can use clamps and such while drilling the pin holes to keep everything nicely aligned.

I am putting the CF handles onto the knife I ground from a talonite sample, and the front pieces of the handle slabs are not aligned properly. I first drilled my holes in the tang, and then used them as a guide to drill my holes in the scales. My problem was that because the piece was so small I couldn't get things where I wanted, clamp it up and then drill. I had to hold it together as I was drilling, which is no doubt why it came out the way it did. Anything I can try if I decide to make another small knife? Thanks in advance.

 

[Mike Hull]

I use 3-4 drops of super glue around the perimeter of the tang, to glue on an oversize handle scale. After it sets up, I drill my pin,bolt holes using the tang as a template.
After that, I trace around the tang, on the scale, and bust the scale off by rapping it sharply on the edge of the workbench. Repeat on the other side.
Take one of the scales and grind/sand the front however you wish, till done. Take the second scale and pin it to the first, trace the line of the finished front onto it, and grind/sand that one down to match. You will have to stop and put the scales together a few times in the process. When they both match, buff them to their finished appearance.

When you install them with epoxy, they will be even.

 

[ErikD]

Thanks Mike, I'll have to give that a try next time. This project has taught me a lot, and I will end up with a usable knife. An ugly knife, but still usable.

One more quick question though. What if I wanted to leave the fronts as a straight cut, in other words not grind them down any. Would I just have to do the same, and then just grind them to where I want? I guess that is why I have been having some problems, I have been cutting a straight edge and then trying to get them drilled, glued, etc. so that the edges match up. Guess it would be easier to just get the holes drilled, then grind them to match each other.

 

[Dan Gray]

I'll add
if the super glue is really stuck you can heat
the tang side with a propane torch to release the super glue
just heat evenly then cool it afterwards,
it don't take a lot of heat..

 

[Mike Hull]

Originally posted by ErikD

One more quick question though. What if I wanted to leave the fronts as a straight cut, in other words not grind them down any. Would I just have to do the same, and then just grind them to where I want? Guess it would be easier to just get the holes drilled, then grind them to match each other.

Yes, like your last sentence. You can have the front flat, curved or however.
One tip though, on the front of the scale(no matter the shape), grind it so that it tilts/bevels back a bit, and not a 90 degree angle. It looks a lot smother that way, and goes into the sheath a lot easier.